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What do you want for the future of Strabane District?

Firstly, please complete our 60 second online survey by clicking here:

What have others said about the future of Strabane District?

A verbatim record of the comments and feedback received about the future of Strabane District is detailed below:

“The deprivation statistics within this area is shocking. The sustained underinvestment in this area by central government is a disgrace. What about targeting social need? Addressing social inclusion? Will we ever have a vibrant local economy, inward investment and jobs and facilities which will make our young people want to say in this area? We need to focus on the economy. All the other things will fall into place if we address the fact that we are an economic black spot.”

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“I think RPA/ pairing with Derry is a negative for the area- we should have been paired with Omagh and if we have any influence we should be lobbying hard for a review. I don't know what our local politicians were thinking of in the first instance- it is hard to believe that the majority of people in our district - from whatever side of religious divide would have voted for this if given the chance. I hope we have one more shot at voting for our politicians in the present set up if RPA is delayed- for me it would be top of the agenda.”

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“More police on the ground to stamp out crime.”

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“Improve access to services in the more remote rural areas thus improving equality for all citizens of the area.”

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“I feel the 2 most important things on this list are jobs & children & young people, young people especially it's becoming unbelievable the amount of young people roaming the streets with nothing to do, I just feel that they are not getting a good start so they are making their own path which unfortunately is involving alcohol, where as if they had a large indoor building with various activities, it would be time not spent on the streets & fields, plus it would create a good few jobs & training aspects.”

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“1. Provision of a public park e.g. Zion House & lands. 2. Development of access to the countryside. 3. Removal/development of dilapidated buildings in town centre areas. 4. Provision of broadband to rural areas of district to address inequities between rural and urban parts & provide a more even distribution of the amount of rates paid by the many rural dwellers.”

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“Tourism offer - anyone who visits Strabane goes to Asda-that is unfortunately as far as they go:( It would be lovely to see local artist playing music in local stores so those stores (asda, argos, new look, other)will not support other artists internationally paying enormous royalties for their music but local artist.

Cross border linkages-cooperating with Donegal agencies and tourism bodies, educational bodies, multicultural organisations in the ROI.

Neighbouhood Development- Police patrols in the night hours-safety on the streets, less drunk people on streets on Sat. nights.”

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“Support the rural areas. Help to sustain employment. Encourage young people to stay in the area. Work with local communities to support projects around health and well being and children and young people. Recognise the value that sports organisations have and support their infrastructure. Give each Council ward their fair share of funding. “

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“Well basically I am originally from Strabane and am currently living in Liverpool where I am studying to become a doctor. I can't see myself ever moving back to Strabane as there is nothing of interest, other than my family, there for me.

I think Strabane has actually come on a lot in the four years that I have been away; I notice this change when I come back for the 6-7 days a year that I am there. I think Strabane needs some public space, such as a large park area with grassland and trees, flowers, etc. Most places I go have this kind of area within ten minutes of you.

Also everyone knows of the job issue Strabane has had for many years, I'm sure you are all working hard at bringing jobs to the town and no-one can emphasisethe importance of that enough. Most of the people my age who go to university tended to leave and have not returned to the area, this is obviously creating a brain drain, maybe with more jobs, and in the appropriate sectors this can be stopped, or at least slowed down. Inward investment in this or any area is obviously also well received and would boast any area.

As I am involved in both health and sports I can't stress the importance of promoting sport in the area. There can never be enough sporting activities to do anywhere and leading a healthy life leads to better moral, confidence and better self-esteem which all helps in making people feel better and inevitably do better for themselves.

Lastly I would like to mention that any tourism Strabane can bring to the area would be good as this brings in money from elsewhere. People visiting means people spending in the towns local services.

Just a few thoughts from myself.

Good luck and keep the good work up.”

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“1. Utilise and make better us of the Rivers Mourne and Foyle, especially the Foyle; for example a Strabane Sailing Club on the Foyle and better access along the mourne for canoeing. Water sports potential and also and Moorlough.

2. Restoration of the Strabane Canal including the canal basin.

3. Lobby for the restoration of the former 'Derry Road' railway line from Portadown to Londonderry. Also discourage (preferably block) planning applications for this line.

4. Influence the best route for the A5 dual carriageway to pass the town and it's route through the rest of the district.

5. Encourage and help to improve aesthetic appearances with more planting of trees along streets and roads, shrubs, plants etc especially rural villages in the district for example Douglas Bridge.

4. Help and support small manufacturing businesses in the district. Also make contact with foreign countries for example Italy and USA and try to influence foreign investment.

5. Start up a tennis club in the district and build courts int the outlying smaller towns and villages.”

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“By working jointly with all key stakeholders in implementing best practices in bringing about real change that will make a difference for the people of Strabane town & district.”

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“Clean up the area and make it an attractive place to live, work and shop in.The view coming over the bridge ie the back of Harley's shop is not very nice and gives a bad impression of the town. This needs to be tidied up Clean the chewing gum off the streets Too many closed shops and these are not in a very presentable state, clean up the vacant shop fronts.

Dog fowling should be taken more seriously from a health point of view and owners should be punished in court A general clean up of the town is urgently needed Inward investment needs to be increased.”

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“Please keep working hard, together we can make it better for our children and their children.”

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“By Anne Palmer

It is my observation that Strabane has struggled over the last ten years to shake off its dark image from the time of the Troubles, when during over 30 years of conflict it developed a reputation for having one of the highest unemployment rates – making it an unemployment blackspot. I think this term blackspot was created by the media and it stuck, perhaps reinforcing a negative image of the area

Whereas in reality, highlighting any area as an unemployment blackspot – should have fostered a media or public campaign – in a bid to put pressure on politicians and the public to bring more jobs to the area or develop a more enterprising culture . During the conflict this was not always possible, and much of society was divided, and perhaps not ready to tackle the matters.

Having said that – during the last decade – huge strides have been made in moving away from that image, specifically with concerted efforts by Strabane District Council officers , councillors, MLA’s, civic society and media who have spoken up for the area, in a bid to highlight its best assets. Great strides have also been made in terms of highlighting cross – border cooperation – due to the proximity of Strabane and Lifford, and the economic developments and community associations. Visioning for the future has been strong and there have been moved literally to build bridges between the divided communities. ( include Strabane 2000 etc – this vision did put the area on the map in terms of media engagement)

Sadly during this past decade there has been a string of job loses in Strabane, and Sion Mills, all reported in the media. The textile industry has fallen, with jobs moving abroad, where labour cost are cheaper. This level of job losses further served to reinforce the unemployment area image.

In my view one of Strabane’s best assets is its people.

In my experience Strabane people are friendly, cheerful, helpful, open , honest, and outgoing and outward looking, vocal, and seem to strongly identify with their territory, as very separate from the nearest city Derry/ Londonderry or Omagh and strongly identify them selves as Tyrone people. This is evident especially in sport- whether that is soccer, rugby or gaelic football and especially cricket.

**The North west especially SDC area has strong cricket traditions above all other areas in Northern Ireland.

In my experience, there is always a feeling in Strabane that decision makers and leaders seek best value for money. In this way representing its people’s needs.

This is vital in tough times of recession following a string of job cuts, and where incomes are lower possibly and job opportunities are poorer.

In my view in many ways Strabane perhaps shies away from shouting from the hightest hill about its assets – its wonderful people – its affordable housing – its proximity to Londondery/ Derry the great hub of economic activity - its leisure facilities, amazing theatre and youth opportunities for msic and drama and arts, its rivers and fishing and angling tourism potential, its location for hill walking and access to the Sperrins. And even its history – and its exports like T V and Radio and music star that Wee Man from Strabane Hugo Duncan; and all the others, young Mr Mc Hugh the jockey, and all the others.

Stabane has a lot to shout about- unemployment - if it cannot go any lower down – that means that the town is on its way up.

It can become a place of job creation – a place where people want to move to because houses are affordable, it could star a campaign to become recognised as a city – even if this does not come good- a campaign and debate on its best assets would keep the place in the public eye,and public consciousness.

What Strabane needs is an army of ambassadors to engage with everyone they meet from outside the area – to spread the word about what a wonderful place it is to live and work.

Journalists – print and broadcast come and g – so there is a need to engage with them face to face and verbally to keep them appraised of what Strabane has to offer.

Invite the media to explore the place and to write features - give pointers and signposts to media – if prospectors come again looking for gold or there is plannng permission or notices in papers- then prompt articles are the search for gold.

Best regards

Anne Palmer”

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“How a bout' a place for young teens to socialise?”

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“There is certainly scope for improvement in physical infrastructure and connectivity to other major centresof population e.g. Derry, Belfast, Dublin. There is also a need for the location of jobs in the town. Public sector jobs tend to me more secure and offer better employment packages than private employers and would provide a much-needed stable boost to the local economy as well as equity of treatment for citizens of the NW.”

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“Supply portable toilets to events like carnival's parades etc in Strabane Council area.”

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“We need better roads more police proper footpaths where you can walk in safety”

“Fresh ideas - engaging with young people in particular-“

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“Address rural issues to a greater extent.”

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“SDC must distance itself from all criminals, terrorist and otherwise, so that a clear message is sent out that encourages the people who live and work in the area that it gives no credence to terrorist criminals of whatever hue. The perception is there that this happens. Mandates ought not to be used as an excuse behind which to hide.”

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“1. Carrchlós ilstórach i lár an bhaile, agus cosc ar charranna ar an phríomhshráid 2. Seirbhís leanúnach bus idir ASDA agus lár an bhaile 3. Ionad Buail Isteach fá choinne phobal na Gaeilge 4. Dealbh Ealaíne de chineál éigin ag an timpeallán ag na Fir Trees 5. an dátheangachas a chur chun cinn ar chomharthaí sa cheantar 6. ionad súgartha ar nós Bananas a thabhairt go dtí an baile mór 7. foirgnimh a bhfuil drochbhail orthu i lár an bhaile a athchóiriú nó a athmhaisiú 8. tacú go leanúnach leis an Amharclann agus leis an Leabharlann, dhá sheirbhís den chéad scoth agus atá ag cur go mór leis an cheantar 9. Riversdale a bhogadh agus a dhéanamh níos mó (amuigh ar an seachbhóthar nua, b'fhéidir?) 10. Seirbhís bailiúcháin fá choinne 'gloine' ón teach fosta - céim mhór chun tosaigh a bhí sna boscaí bruscair ghorma, b'fhiú go mór cur leis seo.

(1. A multi storey car park in the centre of town, and a ban on cars on the main street.

2. A constant bus service between ASDA and the town centre.

3. Drop-in Centre for the Irish-speaking community.

4. An artistic statue of some kind at the Fir Trees roundabout.

5. To promote bilingualism on signs in the area.

6. To bring a play centre like Bananas to the town.

7. Renovation or redecoration of buildings which are in a bad condition in the town centre.

8. To give continuous support to the Theatre and to the Library, two first class services which contribute a lot to the area.

9. To move and to enlarge Riversdale (out on the new bypass perhaps)

10. A 'glass' collection service from houses as well - the blue refuse bins were a great step forward, and are well worth adding to.)

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“As a border town, i think Strabane needs to take advantage of the possible cross border links. As a largely nationalist town i feel it is up to Sinn Fein and the SDLP to lead there constituents into a shared future in the town. Equality between our people is the most important thing.”

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“Engage all of the people in the Strabane district in the future of the area. Tackle inequality and poverty particularly in the rural area E.g. access to services, fuel poverty and lack of transport.”

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“By networking with other organisations to ensure development of the five categories selected. This also includes a monitoring role to ensure objectives are delivered to a high standard.”

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“Keep up the good momentum. Good retail environment at Pavilion, improving town centre as specialty retail, food and leisure and ongoing improvements to sports, leisure and tourism facilities (Melvin, Canal walkways, new hotel development, Alley etc)”.

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“Have more facilities for young people.”

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"Take greater risks in promoting and developing equality and good relations externally"

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There has to be something that puts us in front instead of playing catch up all the time. eg, bungee jumping, paint balling, outdoor pursuits activities, quad biking, ice skating rink etc. If you go on hols, these are the activities that you'd be offered, so if the council is looking to attract vistors to the area, then i think we need to be thinking outside the box and start to lead by example.

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Don''t neglect rural villages and areas. Same rates paid but inferior service provided

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Its great to see more new shops opening in the town creating much needed employment, but i feel that as a result of the new shops such as Asda, Argos and Heatons etc the town centre of Strabane has suffered greatly. I also feel that the council should be doing alot more to take advantage of the number of visitors coming to the town to shop at the new retail park housing Asda and co. There is agreat opportunity being missed here and i beleive this is solely down to the location of the retail park. Enniskillen is experiencing the same large volume of visitors shopping at Asda and Tesco but they are enjoying the spin off of the visitors browsing through local retailers. Visitors to Strabane have no interest in going up the town mainly due to parking. This is a matter that the council should be addressing immediately.

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Encourage local enterprise, ie not high street shops but local shopholders/retailers which could entice shoppers from Derry, Omagh and accross the border. Do not make Strabane like every other high street. Also ensure that the heart of the town, ie main street, castle street, etc have a corner stone trader which will draw in shoppers and keep these areas alive. Offer something unique plus parking.

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we can improve our district through lobbing the those with influnce industery.health,education. also for us to be innovative, thinking outside of the box.

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Like many residents of Strabane, I too had to move away in my mid 30's to find decent work. It broke my heart leaving the town where I grew up but I had no choice. Things have now turned out well for me but on my visits back home, I feel for the people of Strabane.

The key to improving Strabane is simple but difficult to achieve - jobs & investment. The scurge of unemployment and a low wage economy is widely evidenced in many accliamed reports and is obvious in Strabane: higher incidents of ill physical & mental health, higher dependecey on alcohol, higher levels of poverty etc. The troubles had a huge adverse impact on Strabane that i don't think we fully understand.

Emigration from the town has been a feature for decades - evident at Christmas when you see the hundreds back to visit their families. If decent employment can be attracted to the town or created, many of the consequences of unemployment lisited above, will, overtime, begin to dissipate. I often wonder if Council or somone did a 'Where are you Now' exercise aimed at all Strabane disapora, it would provide some useful data and flavour on where all ex strabane emigramts have went and how well they are doing. I know of many who are scattered all over the world who have done exceptionally well.

The town centre is a symbol & reflection of the state of the local economy with many shops boarded up and lying empty. I'm not sure that the ASDA development has been all good for the town.

In the interim until such times as work is created ( if ever), we all have to take our hats off to the local community,voluntary & sporting groups who hold the community togther and do so much good. Our council too has to be given some credit for the Alley Theatre, the development at Melvin and other projects. Do not give up and keep going!

I hope this latest exercise bears fruit & I am with you all in spirit & encouragement.

Strabane ex resident

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First we must ensure we have clean air and readings of same should be published frequently. We must have a people's park.It's too bad we have go elsewhere for a townpark.Dog dirt is an awful problem here I'm totally sick of it. Fastfood outlets should be made to clear up the rubbish after them at weekends, the streets are left in an dreadful state, take-away vans are propably the culprits.

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We need to get people of welfare reliance and the viscous circle of benefit dependency. People need better education, more jobs in the area - why not increase tourism. Gateway to Sperrins, Donegal and the North West region. We need to make Strabane more attractive - better housing, integrated housing, hotels, parks, more shops, business etc in town center.

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There needs to be more facilities made available for young people in the Strabane area especially the 11-18 age group. There is not enough in the town to occupy our young people and this is needed to compete with the numerous public houses/off licences/night clubs that are easily accessible.
Secondly more jobs are needed in this area as more young people are having to leave the area once they have attained their qualifications and those who remain mostly end up joining the benefit regime.

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I think the people of the District need to work together as a unit to maximise the assets that Strabane has people,infrastructure,natural resources and use this opportunity to map out one cohesive plan for all the District.

PS I think it is a mistake that Newtownstewart will become part of the new Strabane and Derry Council once RPA has been implemented.

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The plethora of empty and decaying houses on Lower Main Street is a disgrace. It is clear that no development will be done there and an inquiry should be launched into the council's complicity in this eyesore. It has also destroyed any sense of local community in that once vibrant part of town.

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TRYING TO ENSURE STRABANE IS MORE THAN JUST EMPTY SHOPS ETC HELPING NEW BUSINESS THAT DO COME TO THE TOWN STAY MORE THAN A FEW YEARS ... NEW LESUIRE CENTRE MORE ACCESSESABLE TO THE EVERY BODY IN STRABANE . MAKE BETTER PROVISION FOR THE TAXI AROUND THE TOWN ....SOMETHING DONE WITH THE EMPTY SPACE AT THE END OF THE BRIDGE WHERE ELSE WUD U SEE SPACE LIKE THAT LEFT UNSED IN ANOTHER TOWN FOR SO LONG MUST BE NEARLY 30 YRS NOW ......

Create a positive culture, a real sense of pride and ownership , and a belief in our own ability to shine above the rest- why not?

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The lack of jobs in teh District is the key issue to the development of our District. The town centre epitomises the lack of economic investment in the District; most buildings are empty and boarded up; need to encourage businesses to set up in the town centre. Could the Friday market stalls not be brought up to the Castle Street pedestrian area thereby directing shoppers to the centre of the town.

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We also need a public park for families and a social venue for our teenagers.

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You Can Have some main events giving young people like myself have a chance at life , events like a chance of skydiving to raise money thats what i wud like to happen i want to happen for when i turn 18 ..

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I would like to see an increase in jobs... better investment in the city... there are few organisations within the area and i feel better investment from larger organisations would assist in the growth and prospeity of the town.

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Inward investment and Public Sector jobs de- centralised from Belfast and Derry should be a priority.A more vigourous campaign to get Strabane what it deserves ie jobs which pay above the minimum wage.As for education why not start lobbying for any new University to be sited in Strabane.Strabane should have a Alcohol and Drugs rehab unit too many lives are going to waste and it sends out the wrong message that we are not doing enough to helpthose affected.More jobs = less migration = better skilled workforce = more inward investment !!

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Rural Area Investment and Cleaning the coutryside more (try taking a walk around one of your local countrysides to see what I mean!). Improve transport links to the towns from rural areas not just for school children. Updating the Childrens Playareas and cleanliness of esp.Monday mornings after young teenagers have been there drinking leaving broken glass and other thinks that cannot be mentioned! Encouraging & funding younger children through schools to get them into swimming lessons (best time to teach). Introducing languages like Spanish and Irish in Primary schools from Year 1 as this is when it has been proven that children retain the skill of language. Getting more midwives in our local hospitals allowing them to do their jobs better and giving our future mothers & babies a better birth experience.

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i live on my own and it would be ok if my bins were collected monthly or if i were given bins half the size of the bins allocated at present

The success of the ASDA store in terms of drawing shoopers into Strabane from all over the NW has been incredible and has allowed other retailers - Argos, Heatons etc. to piigy-back on the success. However, I think we all now need to turn our attention to the town centre and ensure that the long tradition of enterprising independent retailers in Strabane continues so that we can maximise on our cross-border geography. My suggestion would be a major overall of Market Street, Castle Street & Place and Main Street. Given our climate we should cover & presdestrianise Castle St. & Mainstreet creating a semi-indoor retailing hub and giving the centre of town a whole new lease of life!!!

I live in Newtownstewart and have two young children aged 5 and 3. Was wondering way is the play park so far away form the town? I no were lucky to have one at all but there is lots of space I'm mourne park where i live and there a lot of children living around here. At the park you cant turn your back for one minute cause they see the water and start running to it. i hate taking my two down there because it beside to the river. I be in strabane quite a bit because there granny lives there and there is play parks near every housing estate. i would like to know who i could talk to. To see if there could be anything done about this. I'm sure I'm not the only one thinking about this.

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i feel that strabane lacks a park area for familys, there is alot of open space not in use ie old school sites which could be developed into open park area for familys to spend a day in open park areas families have to travel to derry or letterkenny and with a growing number of young familys i feel this is greatly lacking

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I am a resident in Donemana. I was wondering when the eye sore of the screens erected around the police station which is only part-time anyway is going to be removed. the very dangerous corner at the junction may then be able to be changed for the benifit of drivers ?

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I think there should be more facilities for children involving singing, dancing and acting otherwise the children of Strabane are going to get bored. I wish there could be some sort of children-nearly-teenager theatre group that could help children achieve any ambitions they have in the arts. I also think if children would like to earn a little bit of money, we could bring paper rounds etc. back into the picture. Please take this into consideration.

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New Astro-Turfs For Young People To Go And Have A bit Of Fun In The Drumrallagh District. More Children Would Like More Fun Events To take Place Also.

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I am not from Strabane but travel there often. What will help Strabane greatly is more small business's but also the youth starting their own companies. With technology like the internet, blackberrys, Ipads and such its a whole new industry that the youth seem to keep up with better than adults. If they have the resources and education given by the town of Strabane they can feel confident in starting up their own company which profits everyone. There is much more to this that I can say but I will keep it brief here and hope that Strabane can begin to profit as a town as its much needed and deserved.

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The Strabane District first and foremost needs jobs but this can\'t happen until the transport infrastructure is improved.
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